Someone kick my ass please!

[Scoosh]

I'm back!!!!
Did the short route, just 3 miles, but it's a start!!!
Did it in 15 mins too, not sure whether that's good or bad, but I was cycling into the wind and uphill coming back and I'm cream crackered now otherwise I'd have carried on a bit further

... and a good start !
Distance/time is not really the issue here. What is is that you got up, you went out, you rode, you returned - all in one piece and all ready for the cake/tea reward !

Next time it'll be easier....


... and the time after that ....

..................... and after that .........

......................................... and after that .........

(getting the idea by now :?::?

 

[Perry]

Give yourself something to look forward to.

Plan a ride to the shops to buy a magazine or small treat of somekind. You could even pop and see a mate for a coffee then ride home again.

 

[TVC]

Idea:

Buy yourself the Ordnance Survey Explorer map (1:25000) for your area. When I started back cycling I found lots of villages, byways and bridalpaths I'd never been down, and made a point of trying them by way of setting a goal for each trip. This I found gave me more motivation than just 'I must do 6 miles, 8, 10, 15 etc'

 

[Dayvo]

the getting out the door is the hard bit - once you've been out there and done it you'll feel sooooooooo good. ok you might be wet, cold and tired but you'll have done it!

As shimmo says: once you're up and out, it's easy AND fun, and you'll feel great when you get home! Nice cuppa and a BIG slice of cake!

 

[purplemoon]

Thanks guys

I think with today being my first time out alone the adrenalin was flowing so I just kept on pedalling all the way round, neither slowing down nor stopping for anything until I got back home

Now I've actually made that first step I'm sure it will be easier next time and I'll be able to relax and pace myself a bit better. I plan to meet up with my son at weekends to do the Thetford Forest rides so if I can manage to get out a few times a week on my own too then I'll be happy

 

[Scoosh]

I plan to meet up with my son at weekends to do the Thetford Forest rides so if I can manage to get out a few times a week on my own too then I'll be happy

.. and you'll soon be showng him a rear wheel !

 

[Downward]

Weather terrible here - Not been out for nearly a week now although Yesterday it would have been quicker on the bike. Off on Hols next week so hope it is ok tomorrow morning so I can go out or it's gonna be 2 weeks.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Simple reason is I'm getting anxious about going out there on my own in and around my home village - but WHY????

anxious about being alone on a bike , or anxious about being in your home village on a bike?

Both are easy to fix.

1) Find a ride partner
2) Drive with the bike to the next village and ride around that one instead

If like me, it's about being afraid around others, then you have a barrier to breakdown but your bike will help you. It gives you the power to avoid people or interact with them, it puts you in control. Choose a quiet path, or a busy town. Choose to stop and chat, or ride on. Your bike will give you independance, freedom if you like. The price of freedom and independance can be the uncertainty that moving out of your comfort zones will bring. But pretty soon your comfort zones will change a bit, and being alone on a bike will feel normal, comfortable.

I wouldnt interact with people for a LONG time. Riding across Germany and France took me right out of my comfort zones. Now I feel happier out there on the bike than I do at home...the comfort zone changed.



Don't kick yourself if you dont ride for a day or two...3 miles is excellent...take a break and do 4 miles day after tomorrow say...then repeat at 5 miles..etc

Your body isnt used to exercise, it will need time to adjust, nothing wrong with that.

There will be pain, but the Gain is worth it.

 

[wafflycat]

This is what I do when off for a solo ride.

I work out my route using OS sheets (I've got pretty much all of East Anglia on Landranger sheets). I photocopy the route (two copies). I take one copy with me and leave one copy for MrW. That way, in case of emergency, he knows where I'll be.

Also - basic stuff such as changing an inner tube in case of puncture - I can do. I take spares with me, take mobile, take a little bit of cash & *basic* first aid stuff. Work on the boy scout premise of 'be prepared' and you'll be fine.

And in any event, we should get together soon!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I understand how you are feeling. I felt so very self conscious when I first took up cycling again. I was overweight, had a bright orange bike and was none to sure of myself. Add the strangeness of wearing a helmet and looking back I'm amazed I did it at all.

Now however I love getting out and look for excuses to ride feeling guilty if I miss a day or two.

You'll soon start to enjoy the new found freedom and also fitness.

Dave

Thanks guys

I think with today being my first time out alone the adrenalin was flowing so I just kept on pedalling all the way round, neither slowing down nor stopping for anything until I got back home

Now I've actually made that first step I'm sure it will be easier next time and I'll be able to relax and pace myself a bit better. I plan to meet up with my son at weekends to do the Thetford Forest rides so if I can manage to get out a few times a week on my own too then I'll be happy

 

[Keith Oates]

purplemoon, give yourself a target either in time on the bike or distance, it doesn't need to be excessive and only you need to know what it is, but then make yourself do it. The only person you can't fool is yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[purplemoon]

I'm overwhelmed at the support from you guys, it really means a lot

Hey, just realised there's no 'hug' smiley on here ... admin!!!!!!

I think BTFB hit the nail on the head when he mentioned being afraid around other people, as that's what I think my main problem is, although with me it's only being around people who might know me - if that makes sense

I'm perfectly fine around total strangers and don't give a fig what people think of me generally but I think what it boils down to is that in my local area there are people who might still be wondering why I 'disappeared off the radar' a few years ago when I got ill, and I'm scared of bumping into those who might ask awkward questions

I've decided now, especially as winter is drawing in, that the best time for me to go out is after dark, and having done a short ride last night in the dark I now feel confident that I can do that every night as part of my fitness programme (I'm also looking into going swimming too )

Waffly - yes we should meet up soon for a ride, which is another reason for me to get out there every day and get some peddling practice in

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

riding in the dark is fantastic - when its a clear dry night especially. my mate (a road cyclist with twelve years experience over my 2 - 3 months) came out with me last night.... new experience for him, its not all about road racing ! it was especially good with company, and its a whole diferent world out there at night. best of both worlds, we literally mix up a bit of town, a bit of country.
Also, as i live in a north eastern former pit town and not in a cosmopolitan city, you tend to be subject to mockery from dim witted potato headed teenagers when you wear cycling gear(the sort of culture where if your a man with long hair, or god forbid a pony tail, or if your a woman wearing a hat that isnt a baseball cap) you get stones thrown at you and called 'gay'. imagine how i felt last night going out in legwarmers for the first time ! you can guarantee at least one cry of "PUFF!!"
BUT when your the one on the bike in the gear, theres a lot to be said for a certain smugness and moral high ground over those kind of cretins.